Here's How To Use Your Slow Cooker To Cook Thanksgiving Dinner

Be thankful for your Crock Pot.

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Cooking Thanksgiving dinner can be a stressful affair, especially if you're hosting a crowd. This year, take some of the pressure off and rely on your slow cooker. Here are a bunch of recipes — from appetizers and side dishes to cocktails and desserts — you can make in your Crock Pot.

1. Cranberry Meatballs

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These sweet and tangy meatballs cook in a glaze made of cranberry sauce, hoisin sauce, ketchup, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Serve them on toothpicks for an easy party app. Get the recipe.

2. Spinach Artichoke Dip

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Pair this creamy dip with some pita chips, crudité, or crostini. It'll be devoured in no time. Get the recipe.

3. Classic Stuffing

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You'll have to do a little bit of prep work like roasting the bread until it gets crisp and mixing all the ingredients together. Then toss everything in the Crock Pot and let it cook until tender. Get the recipe.

4. Sweet Potato Casserole

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These buttery sweet potatoes topped with candied pecans deserve a spot at any holiday table. Get the recipe.

5. Creamed Corn

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This decadent side dish comes together with just four ingredients: canned corn, milk, butter, and cream cheese. Get the recipe.

6. Mac 'n' Cheese

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Load up on a few spoonfuls of this insanely delicious mac 'n' cheese. You're going to end up going for seconds anyway. Get the recipe.

7. Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce

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Homemade cranberry sauce is worlds better than the canned stuff, and thanks to this recipe, you can literally let it cook itself. Get the recipe.

8. Slow Cooker Honey Soy Glazed Turkey Breast

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Roasting a whole bird in the oven can be stressful, but not this year. Just marinate the turkey breast (bone-in and skin-on) in honey, soy sauce, and spices, then place it in the slow cooker. After it's done cooking, you'll want to pop it into the oven for about 30 minutes so the skin gets nice and crispy. Get the recipe.

9. Potatoes au Gratin

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These classic, cheesy potatoes are guaranteed to be a hit. Get creative and top them with anything from bacon and chives to parsley and shredded cheddar. Get the recipe.

10. Corn Casserole

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Start with corn muffin mix and add canned corn, sour cream, butter, and cheese, and let the casserole cook until it's thick and creamy. Get the recipe.

11. Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

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Layer your vegetables on the bottom of the Crock Pot, then rub the turkey breast with seasoning and place it on top of the veggies. After a few hours in the slow cooker, you'll have a perfectly cooked main dish. Get the recipe.

12. Mashed Cauliflower

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For a low-carb version of mashed potatoes, try substituting cauliflower. Cooked with garlic, butter, and chives, it still tastes totally decadent. Get the recipe.

13. Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

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If only all vegetables could taste this good. These Brussels sprouts are topped with crushed pecans, Parmesan cheese, maple syrup, and a balsamic drizzle. Get the recipe.

14. Stuffing With Cranberries, Apples, and Pecans

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You can never have too many stuffing recipes. This version adds some seasonal flavors — crisp apples, tangy dried cranberries, and buttery pecans — to the classic recipe. Get the recipe.

15. Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

The Magical Slow Cooker / Via themagicalslowcooker.com

This crowd-pleasing casserole comes together with just five ingredients: Green beans, canned cream of mushroom soup, milk, fried onions, and cheddar cheese. Get the recipe.

16. Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

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The russet potatoes cook in the slow cooker until they're soft and easy to mash. Then, mix in the sour cream, salt, pepper, and cheese, and serve. Get the recipe.

17. Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

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This rich cocoa is perfect for the whole family to enjoy. And the adults can always spike it with red wine or Bailey's. Get the recipe.

18. Mulled Wine With Pomegranate and Orange

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Brrr, it's getting cold out there. Warm up with some hot wine spiced with cinnamon, star anise, brown sugar, cloves, and nutmeg. Get the recipe.

19. Cinnamon Apples

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You can serve these baked apples as a sweet side dish with dinner, or save them for dessert paired with vanilla ice cream. Get the recipe.

20. Apple Crisp

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You don't need any baking skills to make an unforgettable dessert this Thanksgiving. Just leave the work to your slow cooker. Get the recipe.

21. Pecan Pie

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Place your pie crust at the bottom of the slow cooker and top it with the pecan, butter, syrup, and brown sugar filling. When you take off the lid in three hours, your pie will be ready to eat. Get the recipe.

22. Pumpkin and Apple Crisp

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Why choose between pumpkin and apple pie? Now you can enjoy both at the same time, topped with a layer of crispy cinnamon oats. Get the recipe.